In Virginia, it rains. A lot. I got caught in a thunder storm yesterday, then two more during the night, then once more in the morning. It’s rained once today already, and what’s the forecast for tonight? RAIN.
Hopefully Tennessee will be a little drier.
After riding for eight consecutive days, I’ve decided to take today “off.” I did ride 20 miles this morning, but that was only to get myself back into civilization. I’ve finally made it to Wytheville, VA and will be staying in a hotel for the night. My clothes are in the wash, my stomach is full of southern fried chicken, and I’m camped out in the library. What more could one ask for?
In my travels through Virginia though, I have decided three things. First, southerners don’t believe in money. Second, there are two main reasons why obesity is running rampant:
1. Pizza Inn
2. Shoney’s
Lastly, there are two things that anyone biking across the country should partake in:
1. Pizza Inn
2. Shoney’s
Allow me to explain. Pizza Inn is a very fine establishment in Christiansburg, VA – home to an all you can eat pizza buffet…for six dollars. Needless to say, I ate more than I should have and had to lie down for 45 minutes before I could even think about getting back on my bike.
Shoney’s on the other hand is apparently all over the south, however I had never heard of it. Being an all you can eat southern fried buffet though, it’s probably best I haven’t found it until now. How much for all the fried deliciousness you heart desires? 7 bucks.
I’d post pictures, but right now I can’t look at food…
Day 16 (part II):
The rest of day 16 was pretty uneventful. There was a little farmland, a few rolling hills, and not much in the way of company. I think I even passed through a ghost town, which was a bit creepy to say the least. At night I hung my hammock precariously between two tree without trunks (don’t ask how, because I really don’t know) in the front yard of family home in the middle of nowhere. They had six goats, five chickens, two dogs, and a lost cat. After some chili and pasta I turned in for the night, only to be jolted awake at 5:00 AM by a blast of thunder. And so begins the trend…
Miles covered: 65
--
Day 17:
This was Pizza Buffet day. Nothing else matters, just the pizza. I think I put my body in shock, but it was too delicious to stop…
Anyway, I ended up getting caught in the middle of a lightning storm around 7:00 PM and desperately went door to door trying to find some shelter. After being invited in by a family with two very energetic children, I waited out the storm before pitching my hammock. The only problem? No Trees! Being grounded for the night, I set up a bivy on the ground.
Before falling asleep another thunder storm rolled in and pelted me with rain. I was woken up once more in the middle of the night by rain, and then woke up at 7:00 AM to yet more thunder. At least I’ll have a roof over my head tonight…
Miles covered: 80
--
Day 18:
Only 20 miles today, taking me in to the town of Wytheville, VA. Pretty busy town, but the people are very friendly. Hopefully I’ll get a good night sleep tonight, and will be off towards Tennessee in the morning. The upside of shelling out for a hotel? Free breakfast (well, and some other stuff too).
Miles Covered: 20...
God speed.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
If My Legs Could Talk
I think my legs are going to fall off...but in a good way. 200 miles of ups and downs on the Appalachian Mountains in less than three days, and I lived to tell about it. Definitely one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I enjoyed ever second of it. I met some great people, ate more wonderful food (for free) than I ever knew you could take up a mountain, and have more pictures than I know what to do with.
Day 13:
Not going to lie, I was a little ignorant going into it. I blasted up the first section of mountains in eighth gear, pretending I wasn’t tired. When I finally reached the visitors center at the top, the ranger told me I was crazy (this is a reoccurring theme) and knocked some sense into me when she broke out the elevation profile for the next section. Down to third gear we went...
When I finally reached the campsite at mile 22, I was exhausted, in every sense of the word. 22 miles of pedaling up mountains gets to you after a while...but unfortunately that was just the beginning.
About to register for a campsite, I met a really nice guy named Tim who started talking to me about my journey. After a quick chat, he invited me along to stay with him and his friends and family for the night. They fed me beer, some scrumptious German sausage, a pile of pasta and potatoes, and s’mores before I turned in for the night.
In the morning I was greeted with a cup of coffee, and after I cooked up some oatmeal I was on my way again.
Here’s the whole crew though, thanks again for the accommodations!
Miles Covered: 65
--
Day 14:
Now let me tell you something about coffee. First off, I don’t drink it (but since it was free...) Second, I have never pedaled so fast for so long in my entire life. It was like the mountains didn’t even exist.
I ate lunch with a crew of road bikers who were covering the whole 105 mile stretch of Sky Line Drive in one day, and kept going to a campsite 80 miles into the park. Hungry, tired, and looking for some conversation, I found more than I ever could have asked for.
I met Scott and Jon on the road leading up to the campsite. Wondering if I could join them for the night, they led me to where they and five other friends were staying for the night. Not only were they some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, they treated me as if I were a life-long friend. As a bonus, they were packing enough food to feed the entire campground for a week. Nothing beats finishing a 60 mile day of biking in the mountains with beer, fruit, sandwiches (don’t even get me started on the sandwiches...delicious), hamburgers, cookies, s’mores, and so many other things. And that was just dinner.
Before I departed in the morning, we cooked up eggs, french toast, and bacon. THAT was camping at its finest. As an added bonus, they sent me on my way with muffins and bananas, the perfect biking snack. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity, that was one of the most memorable nights I’ve had so far. Here they all are:
Miles covered: 60
--
Day 15:
After 25 miles of easy riding down the southern end of Sky Line Drive, I entered the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stopping at the ranger station, I picked up the next set of maps and began planning where I could stop for the night. This is the conversation that took place:
Me: “So Otter Creek Campgound, what’s that ride like”
Ranger: “Otter Creek? Why are you going there?”
Me: “Well, to spend the night. It looks like the only campground”
Ranger: “Haha, you’ll never make it there”
Sounds like a challenge. Of course, the ride covered 88 miles of an even steeper section of the Appalachians than I was used to. Wait, 88 miles...I haven’t gone even ridden close to that far yet. Well, no time like the present, I suppose.
And so I rode, and to my surprise I felt great (for most of the day). On the road by 9:30, in the campground by 7:00. My legs were in shock, but I made it in one piece. Being Sunday night, the campground was pretty dead, which made my next conversation even more surprising:
“You eat chicken? I’ve got extra...”
Do I eat chicken? I would eat anything that looked like food if you put it in front of me. The chef’s name was Dan, who was riding his motorcycle down to Tennessee and stopped for the night. Very nice guy, cooked me some pasta and chicken, gave me a beer, and told me stories until we called it a night.
About 30 seconds after I climbed into my hammock for the night, it started down-pouring for hours.,completely out of nowhere. Thankfully I was under the shelter of my tarp, and slept dry looking forward to my last day in the mountains.
Miles covered: 88!
--
Day 16 (part I):
So this is how the day was set up:
The Otter Creek Campground was at an elevation of 650 feet. Most of the Appalachian peaks I was riding were at an elevation of 3,000-4,00 feet. Although that made for a great decent yesterday, it only meant one thing for today...we’re going up.
After a quick stop at the ranger station off the campground, I was left with a few words of caution. They went something like this:
Me: “So what’s the climb like to the top of the pass?”
Ranger: “You’re climbing up the pass?”
Me: “Yeah...”
Ranger: “Haha, you’re crazy...good luck”
And so there it was.
13 miles. 650 feet to 3,950 feet. Straight up. Check it out:
And that was how my day started.
The rest of the ride was a mixture of painful uphills and lovely descents. Now I’m in Brucanan, VA with the mountains behind me. At 40 miles clocked already, my legs are taking a much needed break before going about 20 more. It’s a beautiful day though, and these roads won’t pedal themselves.
I’ll leave you with some shots of the mountains. Enjoy!
Day 13:
Not going to lie, I was a little ignorant going into it. I blasted up the first section of mountains in eighth gear, pretending I wasn’t tired. When I finally reached the visitors center at the top, the ranger told me I was crazy (this is a reoccurring theme) and knocked some sense into me when she broke out the elevation profile for the next section. Down to third gear we went...
When I finally reached the campsite at mile 22, I was exhausted, in every sense of the word. 22 miles of pedaling up mountains gets to you after a while...but unfortunately that was just the beginning.
About to register for a campsite, I met a really nice guy named Tim who started talking to me about my journey. After a quick chat, he invited me along to stay with him and his friends and family for the night. They fed me beer, some scrumptious German sausage, a pile of pasta and potatoes, and s’mores before I turned in for the night.
In the morning I was greeted with a cup of coffee, and after I cooked up some oatmeal I was on my way again.
Here’s the whole crew though, thanks again for the accommodations!
Miles Covered: 65
--
Day 14:
Now let me tell you something about coffee. First off, I don’t drink it (but since it was free...) Second, I have never pedaled so fast for so long in my entire life. It was like the mountains didn’t even exist.
I ate lunch with a crew of road bikers who were covering the whole 105 mile stretch of Sky Line Drive in one day, and kept going to a campsite 80 miles into the park. Hungry, tired, and looking for some conversation, I found more than I ever could have asked for.
I met Scott and Jon on the road leading up to the campsite. Wondering if I could join them for the night, they led me to where they and five other friends were staying for the night. Not only were they some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, they treated me as if I were a life-long friend. As a bonus, they were packing enough food to feed the entire campground for a week. Nothing beats finishing a 60 mile day of biking in the mountains with beer, fruit, sandwiches (don’t even get me started on the sandwiches...delicious), hamburgers, cookies, s’mores, and so many other things. And that was just dinner.
Before I departed in the morning, we cooked up eggs, french toast, and bacon. THAT was camping at its finest. As an added bonus, they sent me on my way with muffins and bananas, the perfect biking snack. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity, that was one of the most memorable nights I’ve had so far. Here they all are:
Miles covered: 60
--
Day 15:
After 25 miles of easy riding down the southern end of Sky Line Drive, I entered the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stopping at the ranger station, I picked up the next set of maps and began planning where I could stop for the night. This is the conversation that took place:
Me: “So Otter Creek Campgound, what’s that ride like”
Ranger: “Otter Creek? Why are you going there?”
Me: “Well, to spend the night. It looks like the only campground”
Ranger: “Haha, you’ll never make it there”
Sounds like a challenge. Of course, the ride covered 88 miles of an even steeper section of the Appalachians than I was used to. Wait, 88 miles...I haven’t gone even ridden close to that far yet. Well, no time like the present, I suppose.
And so I rode, and to my surprise I felt great (for most of the day). On the road by 9:30, in the campground by 7:00. My legs were in shock, but I made it in one piece. Being Sunday night, the campground was pretty dead, which made my next conversation even more surprising:
“You eat chicken? I’ve got extra...”
Do I eat chicken? I would eat anything that looked like food if you put it in front of me. The chef’s name was Dan, who was riding his motorcycle down to Tennessee and stopped for the night. Very nice guy, cooked me some pasta and chicken, gave me a beer, and told me stories until we called it a night.
About 30 seconds after I climbed into my hammock for the night, it started down-pouring for hours.,completely out of nowhere. Thankfully I was under the shelter of my tarp, and slept dry looking forward to my last day in the mountains.
Miles covered: 88!
--
Day 16 (part I):
So this is how the day was set up:
The Otter Creek Campground was at an elevation of 650 feet. Most of the Appalachian peaks I was riding were at an elevation of 3,000-4,00 feet. Although that made for a great decent yesterday, it only meant one thing for today...we’re going up.
After a quick stop at the ranger station off the campground, I was left with a few words of caution. They went something like this:
Me: “So what’s the climb like to the top of the pass?”
Ranger: “You’re climbing up the pass?”
Me: “Yeah...”
Ranger: “Haha, you’re crazy...good luck”
And so there it was.
13 miles. 650 feet to 3,950 feet. Straight up. Check it out:
And that was how my day started.
The rest of the ride was a mixture of painful uphills and lovely descents. Now I’m in Brucanan, VA with the mountains behind me. At 40 miles clocked already, my legs are taking a much needed break before going about 20 more. It’s a beautiful day though, and these roads won’t pedal themselves.
I’ll leave you with some shots of the mountains. Enjoy!
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Mountains Are Looming
I think it’s a sign you’ve gone crazy when all you dream about is biking…Alas, it has become my life.
Day 10 (part 2):
The Susquehanna River and I are not friends. A road traverses the river, how bad can it be? BAD. Hills everywhere. Up and down, for miles and miles…although it did make for some great scenery:
On a slightly less positive note, I made my first huge mistake that didn’t result in bodily harm (yes Lisa, this one’s for you.) Apparently somewhere during my four years of college I became dyslexic. Traveling on route 462, needed to get onto route 624. So what did I write down? Continue on 462…I left out the part about it bringing me 5 miles in the entirely wrong direction. Luckily I booted up the old GPS, obnoxiously shouted a few obscenities, and reversed my course.
Anyway, eventually I got back on route and rode out to Otter Creek Campground for the night. What I didn’t expect was to wake up freezing halfway through the night. The middle of June and I’m working with 55 degrees after the sun goes down. I hear it has something to do with El Niña…sounds like a lake beast.
Here's pictures of the hammock, since I never put anything up:
Miles covered: 65 (but 75 if you discount the “detour”)
--
Day 11:
Today was a good day. Nice weather, felt great, no complaints. I even ate lunch with two very nice people who bought took pity on my peanut butter sandwiches and bought me a cookie (but really, it might have been the best cookie I’ve ever had).
I finally got into Maryland, which is a pleasant stroll compared to what PA had in store.
After cranking out 78 miles, I was ready to call it a day but unfortunately in an area very foreign to the idea of camping. So, naturally I bugged a family to let me camp in their backyard. Nothing fancy but it was a safe place to spend the night. My favorite part of the evening:
The Guy (I actually never got his name…): Do you have water?
Me: Yup, plenty of water, thanks
-15 minutes later-
Guy: I know you said you had water, but I brought you two bottles, just in case.
So now I have two bottles of water…
Miles covered: 78!
--
Day 12:
I should also note that I diverted from the Adventure Cycling Association maps in Maryland to ride my own more…scenic…route.
Yeah, that gravel road was flooded.
Luckily a guy in a huge flatbed truck came along out of nowhere (THAT is my luck) and took me and the bike across the “puddle.” Apart from that unexpected obstacle though, the ride was rather pleasant. Onward to Virginia! And so that is where I find myself.
It was a hot, humid, muggy day to be biking. Rain in the morning, a bit of sunshine in the afternoon, but otherwise a very bug-filled day. Despite the weather though, the single greatest thing thus far happened to me in the afternoon.
I was riding along my route, unknowing of what lay up ahead, when a woman name Clare planting flowers called out to me. Being at mile 65 for the day, our conversation soon led to me asking if I could camp in their backyard. A short time after that, I had this conversation with her husband:
Bobby: “So where were you going?”
Me: “Uh, Eubank, right down the road”
Bobby: “Eubank, what’s that?”
Me: “A town”
Bobby: “There’s no town down the road, just a mountain”
Turns out, I was about one mile away from hitting a gravel road heading straight up a mountain, then taking me on a winding path to what would soon turn into the Appalachian Mountain chain. In short, Claire and Bobby saved my life.
Not only that, they gave me a bed to sleep in, made me a delicious fish dinner, and turned out to be two of the nicest people that I have ever met. Fully satiated and fully of corn, fish, potatoes, beets, and cookies, I headed to bed. In the morning I got my laundry done, ate a delicious egg breakfast, and plotted a much better route dodging the gravel mountain road of death.
Here they are, Clare and Bobby:
So where am I now? Biding my time, of course. I’m in Front Royal, VA, at the foot of Blue Ridge Parkway. What lies ahead is 200 miles of isolated pedaling along the Appalachian Mountains. This should be interesting.
Assuming I make it though, my legs will probably be bigger than my head, and I’ll have enough confidence to last me until Colorado. Then we’ll talk.
Oh, and I know what you want to see. More farmland!
Until next time…
Day 10 (part 2):
The Susquehanna River and I are not friends. A road traverses the river, how bad can it be? BAD. Hills everywhere. Up and down, for miles and miles…although it did make for some great scenery:
On a slightly less positive note, I made my first huge mistake that didn’t result in bodily harm (yes Lisa, this one’s for you.) Apparently somewhere during my four years of college I became dyslexic. Traveling on route 462, needed to get onto route 624. So what did I write down? Continue on 462…I left out the part about it bringing me 5 miles in the entirely wrong direction. Luckily I booted up the old GPS, obnoxiously shouted a few obscenities, and reversed my course.
Anyway, eventually I got back on route and rode out to Otter Creek Campground for the night. What I didn’t expect was to wake up freezing halfway through the night. The middle of June and I’m working with 55 degrees after the sun goes down. I hear it has something to do with El Niña…sounds like a lake beast.
Here's pictures of the hammock, since I never put anything up:
Miles covered: 65 (but 75 if you discount the “detour”)
--
Day 11:
Today was a good day. Nice weather, felt great, no complaints. I even ate lunch with two very nice people who bought took pity on my peanut butter sandwiches and bought me a cookie (but really, it might have been the best cookie I’ve ever had).
I finally got into Maryland, which is a pleasant stroll compared to what PA had in store.
After cranking out 78 miles, I was ready to call it a day but unfortunately in an area very foreign to the idea of camping. So, naturally I bugged a family to let me camp in their backyard. Nothing fancy but it was a safe place to spend the night. My favorite part of the evening:
The Guy (I actually never got his name…): Do you have water?
Me: Yup, plenty of water, thanks
-15 minutes later-
Guy: I know you said you had water, but I brought you two bottles, just in case.
So now I have two bottles of water…
Miles covered: 78!
--
Day 12:
I should also note that I diverted from the Adventure Cycling Association maps in Maryland to ride my own more…scenic…route.
Yeah, that gravel road was flooded.
Luckily a guy in a huge flatbed truck came along out of nowhere (THAT is my luck) and took me and the bike across the “puddle.” Apart from that unexpected obstacle though, the ride was rather pleasant. Onward to Virginia! And so that is where I find myself.
It was a hot, humid, muggy day to be biking. Rain in the morning, a bit of sunshine in the afternoon, but otherwise a very bug-filled day. Despite the weather though, the single greatest thing thus far happened to me in the afternoon.
I was riding along my route, unknowing of what lay up ahead, when a woman name Clare planting flowers called out to me. Being at mile 65 for the day, our conversation soon led to me asking if I could camp in their backyard. A short time after that, I had this conversation with her husband:
Bobby: “So where were you going?”
Me: “Uh, Eubank, right down the road”
Bobby: “Eubank, what’s that?”
Me: “A town”
Bobby: “There’s no town down the road, just a mountain”
Turns out, I was about one mile away from hitting a gravel road heading straight up a mountain, then taking me on a winding path to what would soon turn into the Appalachian Mountain chain. In short, Claire and Bobby saved my life.
Not only that, they gave me a bed to sleep in, made me a delicious fish dinner, and turned out to be two of the nicest people that I have ever met. Fully satiated and fully of corn, fish, potatoes, beets, and cookies, I headed to bed. In the morning I got my laundry done, ate a delicious egg breakfast, and plotted a much better route dodging the gravel mountain road of death.
Here they are, Clare and Bobby:
So where am I now? Biding my time, of course. I’m in Front Royal, VA, at the foot of Blue Ridge Parkway. What lies ahead is 200 miles of isolated pedaling along the Appalachian Mountains. This should be interesting.
Assuming I make it though, my legs will probably be bigger than my head, and I’ll have enough confidence to last me until Colorado. Then we’ll talk.
Oh, and I know what you want to see. More farmland!
Until next time…
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Farms, Food, and a Lucky Penny
Scares of tornadoes, thunderstorms and summer heat? Please. It’s beautiful outside. 70 degrees in the morning, 80 in the afternoon, and not a cloud in the sky. Now this is biking weather. I hear Kansas
I’m currently in Manheim , PA and moving closer to Maryland
With so much time alone on my bike, you would think that I would have a little more than daily recaps to tell you. Honestly though, my cleverness only goes so far. I also have a horrible memory, so if I reuse any of my poorly constructed jokes, you’ll have to forgive me. All I can tell you if that the people keep getting nicer, the food keeps getting better, and I keep feeling stronger. Enough of that boring logistical stuff though, here’s some more tales from the road:
Day 6 (part 2):
Not too much to report here. I got a nice biking tour of the Lehigh Valley as I made my way from Easton , PA to Bethlehem
Miles covered: 60 (I’m sick of doing math so calculate it yourself)
--
Day 7:
Rainy, gloomy, and unmotivated. So…I didn’t ride. Many thanks to James and his roommates who put up with me for two whole days. After a very relaxing day of doing nothing, I was ready to head out again.
Miles Covered: 0…crap
--
Day 8:
Gloomy morning but I had to put up with it. I took a nice, scenic ride over to Ottsville , PA to see my friend Molly at Camp Galil
Not the camp, but a small farmer's market that I found:
At night, I began to approach the
Here's Greg, Jana, their son Greg Jr. and their lovely dog:
Miles covered: 60
--
Day 9:
Before saying my goodbyes, I was fed a wholesome egg breakfast, and given a few bananas for the road.
What happened next though put a smile on my face that even the largest of hills couldn’t make disappear. I was sitting outside a deli in a small town chowing down on my (now rather old) free loaf of bread when a guy named Bob came up and started talking to me. After I amazed him with the details of my bike ride and he noticed how dismal my lunch was, he told me he owned the deli and invited me in for a shopping spree. A half pound of turkey, a half pound of cheese, a loaf of bread, tons of snacks, and a quart of Gatorade later, I was eating the best lunch I’ve had since Camp Galil. It seems no matter where I am; I always seem to run into someone who treats me with more kindness than I ever could have imagined. Oh, and the lucky penny? Bob gave it to me. Seems to be working...
The deli, in all it's glory:
With such luck at lunchtime, dinner must have been dismal, right? False. Quite the opposite actually. Riding though a very nice neighborhood in Bowmansville, I met a guy named Lou mowing his lawn. After a short chat, he gave me a bed to sleep in, and a dinner to eat. Scrumptious soup mixed with beans, ham, and everything in between. Home cooked coconut pie for dessert, and a fruit salad on the side.
After some great conversation, I turned into bed, looking forward to what the next day would bring.
Miles covered: 70
--
Day 10:
How about this for breakfast…eggs, toast, a muffin, a banana, and even some food for the road. I was stuffed by the time I got back on the bike and was still carrying more free food than I knew what to do with.
So that brings me to Manheim. 25 miles covered so far, and Maryland
--
One note about farms. They're everywhere! I've seen more farms since I started this trip that I thought I would see in my whole life. With out boring you too much, here's some beautiful PA scenery:
Th bike path that wasn't:
And the last kind of cool thing, Valley Forge Park. I actually met a historian that worked there who told me a story from the war. It was interesting:
--
And don’t read this part until the 15th:
Happy birthday to my friend Lisa! WHOOO HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Food, Food, Everywhere
The great thing about meeting people while biking across the country is that they all know you're hungry. From free fruit to free meals, there's nothing better than getting food thrown at you. Food aside though, kindness and generosity is everywhere. In six days I've seen more good in people than I expected to see in three months.
Day 3:
After a short chat in the morning, my new friends parted ways. Wanting to head to New York City (who would ever want to ride a bike there?), I continued on my route through northern CT. Had I know that this route is actually one gigantic hill, I may have reconsidered.
Pop quiz: what's worse than getting hit by a car? Crashing! Yes, I fell over, looked like an idiot, and actually succeeded in damaging my bike this time. Contrary to what you may think, huge hills and a bent derailleur hanger don't go very well together. Luckily Marc of Cycle & Fitness in Millerton, NY was able to get me up and running again in no time.
Deciding to call it a day in the fine town of Millerton, I begin looking for a place stay. Determined to find something a bit more accommodating than a crazy mosquito-infested boat launch, I stumbled upon Kevin and Courtney. This incredibly nice couple was eating dinner with their two kids and Kevin's parents when I rudely interrupted asking for a backyard to camp in. What did I get in return? I delicious meal, and a beautiful (and safe) backyard to spend the night in. Maybe this is a strategy worth keeping up...
Miles covered: 65...only 5,805 to go!
--
Day 4:
I think that I'm getting the hang of this whole biking thing...or maybe today was just all downhill. Only time will tell, I suppose. The first highlight of today? Free lunch! I met five very nice people eating lunch outside the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park, NY. Dubbing themselves "gourmet tailgaters," they generously fed me everything from oranges to brie cheese.
Continuing on my way, I finally arrived in my destination of Newburgh, NY. I met up with my friend Cathy, whose family gave me a fantastic meal and a nice place to spend the night (thanks again for the accommodations!)
Miles covered: 70...only 5,735 to go!
--
Day 5:
My knee hurts. Every pedal stroke, all day, for 70 miles. Why 70 miles? Well, it probably wasn't the smartest idea, but it certainly worked out in my favor...but first things first.
Rolling out of Newburgh, I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts that gave me a free bagel and muffin. I traveled the rest of the day though back-woods New York, on beautiful roads along rolling hills. Supposedly it was 95 degrees out, but I was holding up fine.
Crossing the NY boarder into New Jersey, I entered the Delaware Water Gap on Old Mine Road. What should usually be a beautiful scenic drive along the Delaware River quickly turned into Brian-will-probably-be-caught-in-a-massive-thunderstorm-drive. No joke.
As the sky began to turn darker, and the wind began to blow faster, I began to get slightly more...terrified. With nothing around but trees for miles, this seemed like the single worst place to be caught in a storm. But then, something miraculous happened. After 15 miles of desperate pedaling, I found the Walpack Inn, tucked away in the middle of nowhere. After a short conversation with the owner and his wife, they sheltered me from the storm in my own private cabin for the night.
Now in this particular case, "cabin" might be a bit misleading. This was the farthest thing from rustic that I've ever seen. Electricity, full kitchen, and the most comfortable couch I've ever slept on...It was amazing. Not to mention they gave me a loaf of their home-baked break, a quart of milk, and some butter. That night was perhaps the best night sleep I've ever gotten.
Miles covered: 70...only 5,665 to go!
--
Day 6 (part 1):
I'm writing this from the very quiet, quaint, and beautiful town of Belvidere, PA. It's been a very scenic ride up to this point, and I'm working my way towards Bethlehem, PA to stay with my friend James for the next. Stay tuned…
Not Kevin or Courtney, but his parents at least:
And the "tailgaters":
And my lovely cabin for the night:
And the view from my backyard:
And a few from the Deleware Water Gap:
Day 3:
After a short chat in the morning, my new friends parted ways. Wanting to head to New York City (who would ever want to ride a bike there?), I continued on my route through northern CT. Had I know that this route is actually one gigantic hill, I may have reconsidered.
Pop quiz: what's worse than getting hit by a car? Crashing! Yes, I fell over, looked like an idiot, and actually succeeded in damaging my bike this time. Contrary to what you may think, huge hills and a bent derailleur hanger don't go very well together. Luckily Marc of Cycle & Fitness in Millerton, NY was able to get me up and running again in no time.
Deciding to call it a day in the fine town of Millerton, I begin looking for a place stay. Determined to find something a bit more accommodating than a crazy mosquito-infested boat launch, I stumbled upon Kevin and Courtney. This incredibly nice couple was eating dinner with their two kids and Kevin's parents when I rudely interrupted asking for a backyard to camp in. What did I get in return? I delicious meal, and a beautiful (and safe) backyard to spend the night in. Maybe this is a strategy worth keeping up...
Miles covered: 65...only 5,805 to go!
--
Day 4:
I think that I'm getting the hang of this whole biking thing...or maybe today was just all downhill. Only time will tell, I suppose. The first highlight of today? Free lunch! I met five very nice people eating lunch outside the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park, NY. Dubbing themselves "gourmet tailgaters," they generously fed me everything from oranges to brie cheese.
Continuing on my way, I finally arrived in my destination of Newburgh, NY. I met up with my friend Cathy, whose family gave me a fantastic meal and a nice place to spend the night (thanks again for the accommodations!)
Miles covered: 70...only 5,735 to go!
--
Day 5:
My knee hurts. Every pedal stroke, all day, for 70 miles. Why 70 miles? Well, it probably wasn't the smartest idea, but it certainly worked out in my favor...but first things first.
Rolling out of Newburgh, I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts that gave me a free bagel and muffin. I traveled the rest of the day though back-woods New York, on beautiful roads along rolling hills. Supposedly it was 95 degrees out, but I was holding up fine.
Crossing the NY boarder into New Jersey, I entered the Delaware Water Gap on Old Mine Road. What should usually be a beautiful scenic drive along the Delaware River quickly turned into Brian-will-probably-be-caught-in-a-massive-thunderstorm-drive. No joke.
As the sky began to turn darker, and the wind began to blow faster, I began to get slightly more...terrified. With nothing around but trees for miles, this seemed like the single worst place to be caught in a storm. But then, something miraculous happened. After 15 miles of desperate pedaling, I found the Walpack Inn, tucked away in the middle of nowhere. After a short conversation with the owner and his wife, they sheltered me from the storm in my own private cabin for the night.
Now in this particular case, "cabin" might be a bit misleading. This was the farthest thing from rustic that I've ever seen. Electricity, full kitchen, and the most comfortable couch I've ever slept on...It was amazing. Not to mention they gave me a loaf of their home-baked break, a quart of milk, and some butter. That night was perhaps the best night sleep I've ever gotten.
Miles covered: 70...only 5,665 to go!
--
Day 6 (part 1):
I'm writing this from the very quiet, quaint, and beautiful town of Belvidere, PA. It's been a very scenic ride up to this point, and I'm working my way towards Bethlehem, PA to stay with my friend James for the next. Stay tuned…
Not Kevin or Courtney, but his parents at least:
And the "tailgaters":
And my lovely cabin for the night:
And the view from my backyard:
And a few from the Deleware Water Gap:
Monday, June 6, 2011
Alone In The Woods
Days 1 and 2 were...not quite what I expected. Boston was a beautiful place to start, however I quickly found that navigating through a city on a fully loaded bike is a little dangerous. Of all the ways to start a bike tour, I think mine takes the cake:
Mile 15: I got hit by a car.
I will never understand it, but by some miracle nothing horrible happened. My front wheel got slammed by a Subaru running a red light at 30 miles per hour...and I lived to tell about it. Not only that, but my bike was completely fine. Explain that one.
Needless to say, I kept going.
The rest of the day was not quite as eventful but definitely a little calmer. I ate lunch with a very nice guy named Bill while watching a little league baseball game, and got a free banana from a girl working a quaint little farm store on the side of the road. Then it started to rain. Just my luck, right?
Being the end of the day I found a place to camp, made a fire, and enjoyed a bowl of pasta alone in the woods. It's a lonely world out there when the sun goes down, but I suppose the next day brought enough good luck to make up for it.
Miles Covered: 65...only 5,945 to go!
--
I was struggling at the start of day 2. Lonely, sore, and in the middle of nowhere. But just when I thought I was doomed to travel to the tune of my own dismal thoughts, something miraculous happed:
I found friends!
That's right. Less than 10 miles into the day I caught a glimpse of a fully loaded touring bike up ahead. Excited at the prospect of a mere conversation, I found one better. Two girls, traveling the exact same route as me (one again, thank you Adventure Cycling Association).
After a short introduction, I started riding with them for the rest of the day. Being on my way back to my house in CT to spend the night, they hopped on the opportunity for a place to stay. I don't know how long we'll be riding together, but a few days with company is a great gift that came at the perfect time.
Miles Covered: 65...only 5,870 to go!
Here's me with the two girls
Mile 15: I got hit by a car.
I will never understand it, but by some miracle nothing horrible happened. My front wheel got slammed by a Subaru running a red light at 30 miles per hour...and I lived to tell about it. Not only that, but my bike was completely fine. Explain that one.
Needless to say, I kept going.
The rest of the day was not quite as eventful but definitely a little calmer. I ate lunch with a very nice guy named Bill while watching a little league baseball game, and got a free banana from a girl working a quaint little farm store on the side of the road. Then it started to rain. Just my luck, right?
Being the end of the day I found a place to camp, made a fire, and enjoyed a bowl of pasta alone in the woods. It's a lonely world out there when the sun goes down, but I suppose the next day brought enough good luck to make up for it.
Miles Covered: 65...only 5,945 to go!
--
I was struggling at the start of day 2. Lonely, sore, and in the middle of nowhere. But just when I thought I was doomed to travel to the tune of my own dismal thoughts, something miraculous happed:
I found friends!
That's right. Less than 10 miles into the day I caught a glimpse of a fully loaded touring bike up ahead. Excited at the prospect of a mere conversation, I found one better. Two girls, traveling the exact same route as me (one again, thank you Adventure Cycling Association).
After a short introduction, I started riding with them for the rest of the day. Being on my way back to my house in CT to spend the night, they hopped on the opportunity for a place to stay. I don't know how long we'll be riding together, but a few days with company is a great gift that came at the perfect time.
Miles Covered: 65...only 5,870 to go!
Here's me with the two girls
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Here We Go!
It's finally here. This morning I'm driving out to Boston, and then will be off pedaling for the west coast. Check back soon for pictures of my loaded bike, and a recap of the first 120 miles.
...There aren't any bears in Connecticut, right?
And finally a picture of the bike:
...There aren't any bears in Connecticut, right?
And finally a picture of the bike:
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